Wrench having interceptor for selectably ratcheting or torqueing a hexagonal member

ABSTRACT

A wrench having both torqueing and ratcheting capabilities for rotating hexagonal members including a body having a torqueing jaw and a backup jaw, the jaws being spaced from each other to slidably receive the opposed sides of a hexagonal member therebetween, a retractable interceptor means carried by the wrench and positional between a torqueing position and a ratcheting position, so arranged that in the ratcheting position the interceptor engages the hexagonal member and limits the contact of the torqueing jaw to less than one-half of the member side, and when the interceptor is in the torqueing position the torqueing jaw is unobstructed to fully engage the member side.

United States Patent [1 1 Evans [54] WRENCH HAVING INTERCEPTOR FOR SELECTABLY RATCll-IETING OR TORQUEING A HEXAGONAL MEMBER [75] Inventor: James P. Evans, Oklahoma City,

Okla.

[73] Assignee: Nicholas M. Rylander, Tulsa, Okla.

22 Filed: Apr. 1,, 1974 21 Appl. No.:456,648

' [5-2 U.S.C1. ..8l/179,81/119,81/180C,

81/186 51 Int. Cl B25b 23/08 [58] Field of Search 81/53 11,119,179, 180 c, e 1 81/186 [56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,855,814 10/1958 Yavner 81/179 2,879,681 3/1959 Blasdell. i ..-81/l79 3,717,054 2/1973 Thompson ..8l/l79 Jan. 7, 1975 Primary Examiner-Al Lawrence Smith Assistant Examiner-James G. Smith Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Head & Johnson [57 ABSTRACT A wrench having both torqueing and ratcheting capabilities for rotating hexagonal members including a body having a torqueing jaw and a backup jaw, the jaws being spaced from-each other to s'lidably receive the opposed sides of a hexagonal member therebetween, a retractable interceptor means carried by the wrench and positional between a torqueing position and a ratcheting position, so arranged that in the ratcheting positiongthe interceptor engages the hexag onal member and limits the contact of the torqueing jaw to less than one-half of the member side, and when the interceptor is in the torqueing position the torqueing jaw is unobstructed to fully engage the member side. i

9 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures I Patented Jan. 7, 1975 3,858,467

3 Sheets-Sheet i 32 w' mmmm Patented Jan. 7, 1975 3,858,467

- 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 7, 1975 3,858,467

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 WRENCH HAVING INTERCEPTOR FOR SELECTABLY RATCHETING OR TORQUEING A HEXAGONAL MEMBER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION a hexagonal member. End wrenches include adjustable types wherein the spacing between the jaws may be varied. Another type of hand wrench is the box end which includes an arrangement having an opening with the internal configuration arranged to axially receive a hexagonal member on all six sides for rotation of the member.

The common types of hand wrenches above described do not include means of ratcheting the hexagonal member. After the wrench has been rotated through a given arc, which is proscribed by the working area limitation surrounding the hexagonal member, it is necessary to disengage the wrench from the hexagonal member in order to get an new bite on the member. This is true whether the wrench is the open end or box end type. When the wrench is disengaged and moved to a new torqueing position and again applied to the hexagonal member it must be positioned accurately relative to the hexagonal member so as to engage the member for imparting torque. This repeated engaging and disengaging from the hexagonal member is time consuming.

Others have devised ratchet wrenches which include a socket which slips down axially over the member with a drive shaft extendingfrom the socket. The drive shaft connects to a ratcheting device having a handle extending therefrom. The ratcheting device includes a ratchet wheel and pawl arrangement for rotating the socket. Such apparatus works satisfactorily except it is fairly expensive and is spacing consuming. In many applications it is difficult, if not impossible, to position this type of ratcheting socket wrench on to a hexagonal member.

The wrench of this invention overcomes the problems and limitations of the existing art by providing a wrench which is inexpensive, which does not depend on ratchet and paw] arrangements, which can be used for both ratcheting or applying high torque to a member at the option of the user, and which can be used in any situation where a standard open end wrench may be employed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is an open end wrench having a body portion with a handle extending therefrom. Extending also from the body, and in the direction opposite the handle, are a pair of jaws, one being a backup jaw and the other a torqueing jaw. The jaws have opposed working surfaces which are spaced apart from each other a distance slightly greater than the distance between the opposed flat surfaces of a hexagonal member to which the wrench is sized. The backup jaw working surface is preferably slightly longer than the length of a side of the hexagonal member to be rotated whereas the torqueing jaw working surface is preferably approximately equal to the length of the member side.

In the normal or torqueing mode, the wrench engages the opposed sides of a hexagonal member throughout the full length of the sides and applies torque to the hexagonal member in either direction as the wrench handle is pivoted. In this mode the wrench functions in the same way as the normal open end wrench.

A retractable interceptor is carried by the body or one of the jaws of the wrench and is movable between two positions. In the torqueing position the interceptor is withdrawn so that the wrench working surfaces engage the full opposed sides of the hexagonal member as above described. In the ratcheting position however, the interceptor engages the member to be rotated and limits the contact of the torqueing jaw working surface to less than one-half of the member side. At the same time, all or substantially all, of the opposed member side is contacted by the backup jaw working surface. In this position, torque may be applied to the hexagonal member by rotation of the handle thereof in the direction towards the backup jaw. However, the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, that is, towards the torqueing jaw, the torqueing jaw does not apply rotational force to the hexagonal member and instead, the wrench slides upon the hexagonal member peripherial surface until a new position is reached wherein a new bite may be had upon the hexagonal member.

In one embodiment the interceptor is spring biased and normally extends into the ratcheting position so as to engage the hexagonal member when the wrench is applied, but is retracted by force urging the wrench into full engagement with the member for torqueing. In other embodiments, means is provided for selectively positioning and retaining the interceptor either in the ratcheting or the torqueing position.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a basic object of this invention to provide an open end wrench having both torqueing and ratcheting capabilities.

A more particular object of the invention is to provide an open end wrench for hexagonal members having two modes of operation. In the first mode the wrench functions in either direction. In the second mode the wrench applies torque to the hexagonal member in only one direction of rotation and slides freely upon the peripheral surface peripheral the hexagonal member in the other direction of rotation so that ratch eting action may be employed by the wrench user.

Another object of this invention is to provide an open end wrench with an interceptor for limiting the area of contact of one jaw against a hexagonal member, including means of moving the interceptor between a torqueing position and a ratcheting position.

These objects, as well as other objects, both more specific and more general, will be fulfilled in the following description and claims, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION or vnaws FIG. 1 is a plan view of a wrench employed to either apply torque or to ratchet a hexagonal member.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the wrench of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

' in the ratcheting position.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view as shown in FIG. but

showing the interceptor locked in the torqueing position.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are enlarged cross-sectional views as taken along the line 7-7 of FIG. 5. FIG. 7A shows the interceptor lock in the position to retain the interceptor either in the torqueing or ratcheting position,

' whereas FIG. 7B shows the interceptor lock in the position to permit movement of the interceptor.

FIG. 8 is a plan view as in FIG. 1 but showing an alternate interceptor arrangement which may be positioned either in the ratcheting or torqueing position.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 99 of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a'view of an interceptor as may be employed in the embodiments of FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 is a plan view of an alternate embodiment showing the arrangement of FIG. 8 but with the interceptor placed in a different position relative to the wrench working surfaces.

FIG. 12 isa plan view of the embodiment as shown in FIG. 11 but showing the interceptor in the torqueing position.

FIG. 13 shows another alternate embodiment of the invention wherein the interceptor is spring biased and normally extends into the illustrated ratcheting position.

FIG. 14 is the embodiment of FIG. 13 in which the v interceptor has been moved back into the torqueing position as the wrench is forced in full engagement with the hexagonal member. In the embodiments of FIGS. 13 and 14 no means are provided for the operator to select the position of the interceptor except by the amount of force by which the wrench is inserted onto the hexagonal member.

FIG. 15 is a plane view shown partially in crosssection of the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 but including means of selectively positioning the tion against rotational torque by the wrench. The hexagonal member 32 has a distance between an opposed parallel faces of X and a length along one side of Y.

Returning to FIG. 1, the'spacing A between working surfaces 28 and 30 is substantially equal to and slightly greater than X. This permits a hexagonal member-32 to slide between the working surface 28 and 30 and in such position, the hexagonal member may be rotated in either direction by the rotation of the handle 22.

The wrench body portion and handle portion 22 includes an opening 34 which is elongated and of a diameter substantially less than the thickness of the wrench. The opening 34 is best seen in FIG 2. Slidably I positioned in opening 34 is an interceptor 36 having a forward member engaging face 38. The interceptor 36 is in the form of a relatively long, small diameter rod, although-of course the interceptor may be of a square or other cross sectional configuration if desired. The

- interceptor face 38 is inclined at an angle of 60 relais positioned adjacent the flat portion 42 of interceptor interceptor in the ratcheting or torqueing position. In

FIG. 15 the interceptor is shown in the torqueing position.

FIG. 16 shows the arrangement of FIG. 15 with the interceptor in the torqueing position.

FIG. 17 is a top view of the arrangement of FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 18 is a hexagonal member showing representative dimensions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings and first to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the wrench of this invention is shown. The wrench includes a body portion 20 having a body portion 20 having a handle 22 extending therefrom. A backup jaw 24 and a paralleled torqueing jaw 26 extends from body 20. The backup jaw 24 has a backup working surface 28, and in like manner the torqueing jaw 26 has a torqueing jaw working surface 30.

Referring to FIG. 18, a hexagonal member 32 is shown. The member may represent a nut, bolt, or any other hexagonal member to be rotated or held in posi- 36 so that its travel is limited.

The interceptor is limited in its outward travel so that in the ratchet position the interceptor face 38 is spaced from the other end of the ratcheting jaw working surface 30 a distance B (FIG. 1) which is less than one-half Y; that is, less than one-half the distance along one side of a hexagonal member 32. In FIG. I hexagonal member 32 is shown in dotted outline as positioned in the wrench during ratcheting operation. When the wrench is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow torque is applied to the hexagonal member 32 to rotate it also in the direction indicated by the arrow. This is caused by the torqueing jaw working surface engaging the hexagonal member to apply torque to it, as does the backup jaw working surface 28. However, when the wrench is rotated in the direction opposite that of the arrow, no torque is applied to the hexagonal member 32 and the wrench slides upon the hexagonal member peripheral surfaces until a new position is reached wherein a new bite can be taken on the hexagonal member. Thus as shown in FIG. 1, reciprocation of the wrench against the hexagonal member 32 will result in the member being ratcheted without removing contact of the wrench from the member.

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. I in which the wrench is pushed onto the hexagonal member 32 so that it is fully received between the wrench jaws. This forces the interceptor 36 rearwardly, compressing spring 40. In the position shown in FIG. 3 rotation of the wrench handle 22 in either direction applies torque to hexagonal member 32 to rotate it in either direction, as indicated by the arrows. Thus in the position of FIG. 3 the wrench functions as a normal end wrench. The user, by the selection of force with which the wrench is pushed onto the hexagonal member, can use the wrench as a ratcheting wrench as in FIG. 1 or a torqueing wrench as in FIG. 3. In the typical application the user would force the wrench fully onto the hexagonal member to loosen the hexagonal member or apply final tightening torque. Intermediate either the fully tightened or loosened condition the user will normally insert the wrench onto the hexagonal member as shown in FIG. I so that the member can be rotated by a ratchet action. To aid in the ratcheting action of the wrench the outer end of torqueing jaw 26 is provided with an inclined or arcuate surface 46 which helps retain the wrench in engagement with the hexagonal member as it is being rotated. The surface 46 is not employed in imparting torque to the hexagonal member either in the torqueing or ratcheting position.

FIGS. 5, 6, 7A and 7B show the arrangement of FIG. I with a means of selectively retaining the interceptor in either the torqueing or ratcheting position. The embodiment illustrated in these views functions the same as with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, except for a difference in the configuration of the retaining pin 44, and the recess on the interceptor 36. As shown in FIG. 5, the interceptor has a semi-circular recess 48A at the forward end of the flat portion 42 and a similar semicircular recess 48B at the rearward end of the flat surface 42. As shown in FIG. 7A and 7B, the retaining pin includes a larger diameter portion 44A and a smaller diameter portion 448. The larger diameter portion 44A is received in either of the interceptor semicircular recess 48A or 48B. The smaller diameter portion 44B engages the flat portion 42 on the interceptor. In FIG. 7A the retaining pin is in the locked position, that is, the interceptor 36 is locked and cannot be moved longitudinally. As indicated in FIG. 5, the interceptor 36 is locked in the forward or ratchet position. In like manner the interceptor can be locked in the forward semicircular recess 48A so that the interceptor 36 is retained in the torqueing position, and in that case the view of FIG. 7A would appear on the same. FIG. 7B shows the retaining pin in a position wherein the interceptor 36 is free to move longitudinally.

FIG. 5 shows the interceptor 36 locked in the ratchet position wherein torque can be applied in only one position to the hexagonal member 32, whereas FIG. 6 shows the interceptor locked in the torqueing position wherein torque can beapplied in either direction to the hexagonal member. To keep the retaining pin in the wrench handle the small diameter portion 448 is made in the form of a threaded bolt having a head portion 44C, the threaded portion being threadably received in an opening in the large diameter portion 44A.

FIGS. 8, 9, and show an alternate arrangement of the invention in which an interceptor 36 having a slightly different construction is provided. The interceptor is an elongated cylindrical rod having the interceptor face 38 at one end but also having an integral right angular portion 52 at the opposite end. As shown in FIG. 8, the elongated opening 34 in the wrench is intercepted in the wrench handle portion by a slot 54 which communicates with the exterior of one side of the handle 22. The interceptor right angle portion 52 extends through the slot 54 and provides means by which the position of the interceptor 36 may be manually selected by the user. The intermediate portion of slot 54 is of a width to slidably receive the interceptor angular portion 52. At the forward end of the slot an upwardly extending recess 54A is provided and in like manner an upwardly extending recess 54B is provided in the rearward end of the slot. In FIG. 8 the interceptor 36 is shown in the position for ratcheting a hexagonal member. The angular portion 52 of the interceptor is received in slot 54A, which holds the interceptor in the forward position. When the user desires to change the wrench so that it may be employed for torqueing a hexagonal member, the angular portion 52 is moved downwardly and then the interceptor is moved rearwardly until the angular portion 52 can be moved upwardly again into the rearward slot portion 548. In this position the full length of torqueing jaw working surface 30 is exposed to receive a hexagonal member.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show a somewhat altered arrangement of that shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. In FIGS. Ill and 12 the interceptor 36 is shaped and functions the same as in FIGS. 8, 9 and I0 except that the opening 34 receiving the interceptor is inclined at an angle relative to the torqueing jaw working surface 30 and in like manner the slot 54 is inclined at the same angle. FIG. 11 shows the wrench with the interceptor 36 in the forward position and angle portion 52 in slot recess 54A so that the wrench is in the ratcheting mode, while FIG. 12 shows the interceptor 36 in the rearward position, with the angular portion 52 in the rearward slot recess 54B, so that the full torqueing jaw working surface 30 is exposed for applying maximum torque to the hexago nal member 32.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show a still different alternate embodiment of the invention. In this arrangement the interceptor 36 is shorter and is received in the torqueing jaw 26. The interceptor opening 34 is inclined at an angle relative to the torqueing jaw working surface 36. Spring 48 functions in the same way as with the embodiment of FIG. I to urge the interceptor into a forward position to engage a hexagonal member 32 when the wrench is in the ratcheting mode. When the wrench is forced more firmly against a hexagonal member 32 the interceptor 36 compresses spring 40 and the interceptor is withdrawn within the opening 34 allowing the full torqueing jaw working surface 30 to engage the hexagonal member 32 and thereby the wrench may apply. maximum torque to the member.

The interceptor 36 has a flat portion 42 and a retaining pin 44 is utilized to permit the interceptor tobe longitudinally positioned but maintained within prescribed limits of travel, as has been previously described relative to FIG. 1. V

FIGS. 15, I6 and I7 show another different embodiment of the invention. In this arrangement the interceptor 36 is provided with an enlarged diameter head 56 at the end thereof opposite the member engaging face 38. Interceptor opening 34 is of an increased diameter in a portion 34A spaced away from the torqueing jaw working surface 30. The change in diameter between the opening 34 and the enlarged portion 34A provides a shoulder 58. Compression spring 48 is positioned between shoulder 58 and the interceptor head 56. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. l5, l6 and 17 the spring 40 urges the interceptor 36 towards the rearward or torqueing position as contrasted with the function of the spring in the embodiments of FIG. ll, 5 and 13.

To control the position of interceptor 36, a cam wheel 60 is employed which is eccentrically rotated about a shaft 62 secured to the wrench jaw 26. The cam wheel 60 can be rotated by the thumb of the user. When rotated in the position shown in FIG. 16 the interceptor 36 is pushed into position to engage a hexagonal member 32 and hold it in the torqueing position.

When the cam wheel 60 is rotated to the position shown in FIG. 15, the spring 40 urges the interceptor 36 rearwardly so that the torqueing jaw working face 30 is unobstructed and the hexagonal member 32 can be fully received between the jaws of the wrench for applying maximum torque to it.

The various embodiments of the invention discloses that a variety of means may be employed to position an interceptor to engage a hexagonal member and limit the contact of the torqueing jaw working surface with the hexagonal member; and that the interceptor may be moved to a position wherein the torqueing jaw is unobstructed enabling the working surfaces of the wrench to fully contact opposed sides of the hexagonal member.

While the. invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is manifest that many changes may be made in the details of construction and the arrangement of components without departing from the spirit'and scope of this disclosure. It is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein for exemplification, but it is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including the full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled.

What isclaimed:

l. A wrench having both torqueing and ratcheting capabilities for rotating a hexagonal member, such as a nut, or bolt,'wherein the hexagonal member has a distance between opposing sides of X, and a length along one side of Y, comprising:

a body portion having a torqueing jaw and a backup jaw extending therefrom in a common place, the jaws being spaced apart from each other slightly greater than X and providing a member receiving space therebetween, the jaws each having a working surface, the-working surfaces being parallel to each other and spaced to slidably receive the opposed parallel sides of the member to be rotated, the length of the torqueing jaw working surface equal to Y and the length of the backup jaw working surface being greater than Y, the body having a handle portion, extending therefrom:

a retractable interceptor means carried by said body portion and positionable between a torqueing position and a ratcheting position, the interceptor having a member engaging surface so arranged that in the ratcheting position the interceptor engages the member to be rotated and limits the contact of said torqueing jaw working surface to less than one half of a member parallel side, and when the interceptor means is in the torqueing position the torqueing jaw working surface is unobstructed to fully engage the member parallel side; and

means of selectably retaining the interceptor in the ratcheting position.

2. A wrench according to claim 1 wherein said interceptor extends adjacent said torqueing jaw working surface when in said ratcheting position.

3. A wrench according to claim 1 wherein said interceptor means is in the form of a cylindrical rod, the outer end of which forms said member engaging surface, and wherein said wrench has a cylindrical opening therein, the interceptor being received in said opening and slidably positioned between said torqueing position and said ratcheting position.

4. A wrench according to claim 1 including resilient means urging said interceptor means towards said ratcheting position.

5. A wrench according to claim 3 including a compression spring received in said opening in engagement with the inner end at said interceptor-resiliently biasing it to said ratcheting position.

6. A wrench accordingto claim 3 wherein said interceptor has a flat surface on an intermediate portion slidable travel thereof.

7. A wrench according to claim 1 wherein said interceptor is carried by said torqueing jaw, the interceptor extending through said torqueing jaw working surface when in said ratcheting position.

I 8. A wrench according to claim 3 wherein said interceptor has an enlarged diameter portion at the end thereof opposite said member engaging surface;

spring means engaging said interceptor enlarged diameter portion urging said interceptor towards said torqueing position; and

means of selectively positioning said interceptor in the said ratcheting and torqueing positions.

9. A wrench according to claim 8 wherein said means of selectively retaining said interceptor in one of said ratcheting torqueing positions includes a cam wheel rotated eccentrically around an axis, the periphery of said tlOl'l. 

1. A wrench having both torqueing and ratcheting capabilities for rotating a hexagonal member, such as a nut, or bolt, wherein the hexagonal member has a distance between opposing sides of X, and a length along one side of Y, comprising: a body portion having a torqueing jaw and a backup jaw extending therefrom in a common place, the jaws being spaced apart from each other slightly greater than X and providing a member receiving space therebetween, the jaws each having a working surface, the working surfaces being parallel to each other and spaced to slidably receive the opposed parallel sides of the member to be rotated, the length of the torqueing jaw working surface equal to Y and the length of the backup jaw working surface being greater than Y, the body having a handle portion, extending therefrom: a retractable interceptor means carried by said body portion and positionable between a torqueing position and a ratcheting position, the interceptor having a member engaging surface so arranged that in the ratcheting position the interceptor engages the member to be rotated and limits the contact of said torqueing jaw working surface to less than one half of a member parallel side, and when the interceptor means is in the torqueing position the torqueing jaw working surface is unobstructed to fully engage the member parallel side; and means of selectably retaining the interceptor in the ratcheting position.
 2. A wrench according to claim 1 wherein said interceptor extends adjacent said torqueing jaw working surface when in said ratcheting position.
 3. A wrench according to claim 1 wherein said interceptor means is in the form of a cylindrical rod, the outer end of which forms said member engaging surface, and wherein said wrench has a cylindrical opening therein, the interceptor being received in said opening and slidably positioned between said torqueing position and said ratcheting position.
 4. A wrench according to claim 1 including resilient means urging said interceptor means towards said ratcheting position.
 5. A wrench according to claim 3 including a compression spring received in said opening in engagement with the inner end at said interceptor resiliently biasing it to said ratcheting position.
 6. A wrench according to claim 3 wherein said interceptor has a flat surface on an intermediate portion thereof, wherein said wrench has a small diameter opening therein intersecting said cylindrical opening and a retaining pin received in said small diameter opening, said retaining pin extending adjacent said interceptor rod flat surface to thereby retain said interceptor rod within said cylindrical opening and limit the slidable travel thereof.
 7. A wrench according to claim 1 wherein said interceptor is carried by said torqueing jaw, the interceptor extending through said torqueing jaw working surface when in said ratcheting position.
 8. A wrench according to claim 3 wherein said interceptor has an enlarged diameter portion at the end thereof opposite said member engaging surface; spring means engaging said interceptor enlarged diameter portion urging said interceptor towards said torqueing position; and means of selectively positioning said interceptor in the said ratcheting and torqueing positions.
 9. A wrench according to claim 8 wherein said means of selectively retaining said interceptor in one of said ratcheting torqueing positions includes a cam wheel rotated eccentrically around an axis, the periphery of said wheel engaging said interceptor enlarged diameter portion. 